President William Ruto says police officers should shoot in the leg anyone caught looting businesses and vandalizing property during protests, noting such a move would allow the culprits to face the law instead of being killed.
Speaking on Wednesday in Nairobi’s Kilimani area while commissioning Police Housing, the President said attacks on police officers and premises like police stations, as witnessed during the June 25 anti-2024 Finance Bill anniversary protests, will be treated as terrorism.
“Anyone who burns down someone else’s business and property, let them be shot in the leg and go to the hospital as they head to court. Yes, let them not kill, but shoot and break the legs. Destroying people’s property is not right,” he said.
“Those who attack our police, security installations, including police stations, are declaring war. It is terrorism, and we are going to deal with you firmly. We cannot have a nation run by terror and governed by violence; it will not happen under my watch,” Ruto added.
From the most recent demos on Saba Saba this week, Monday, the Kenya National Commission on Human Rights said it recorded 31 deaths and 107 injuries.
Also recorded were multiple cases of vandalism to business premises in several towns across at least 15 counties in Kenya.
The June 25 protests left over 16 people killed, most by police, per the rights group Amnesty International Kenya.
